What to Trade Today: Energy Bounces, Gold Holds, and 5 Short-Term Stocks to Watch

The premarket is buzzing with a cautiously optimistic tone as energy and precious metals lead the way higher. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures are both in positive territory, while the Dow Jones is tracking a modest gain. The broader market appears to be in a holding pattern, with traders digesting the latest macroeconomic signals and preparing for potential volatility later in the session. WTI crude oil surged nearly 1.7% to $60.37, bouncing off recent lows amid talk of supply constraints and easing demand worries. Gold edged up 0.24% to $4,925.20 as investors remain hedging against geopolitical risks and rate cut speculation. Copper and silver also saw strong gains, with copper up 1.34% and silver up a sharp 2.5%, signaling continued appetite for metals tied to growth and inflation hedges. The mood is one of selective optimism—traders are picking their spots, with a focus on momentum plays and sector rotation. With a fresh batch of actionable setups emerging from the diagonal, here are five stocks to keep your eye on in today’s session.

1. National Bank (NBHC), Short-Term Trading Opportunity: Avoid/Neutral National Bank (NBHC) is showing signs of weakness across both its technical and fundamental readings, making it a tricky play for short-term traders. The stock is currently at a crossroads, with a technical score of just 2 out of 10 and all six indicators leaning bearish. The MACD Death Cross and RSI Overbought are flashing red flags that suggest a potential downturn. Fundamentally, it scores a weak 3.04 out of 10, with poor PB and PE metrics dragging it down, though it does get a small boost from strong gross profit margins and cash positions. On the brighter side, fund flows are showing a positive trend, with large and medium investors stepping in, giving the stock a 7.72 score. Analysts remain neutral, with one recent neutral rating and no strong signals. Recent news around regulatory changes under the Trump administration is creating mixed signals for the banking sector. While NBHC saw a recent 4.11% price rise, the fundamentals and technicals suggest caution. Short-term traders may find limited upside unless there's a sudden reversal in sentiment or a surprise earnings report.

2. State Street (STT), Short-Term Trading Opportunity: Buy State Street (STT) is shaping up as a compelling short-term trade with a balanced mix of strong fundamentals and mixed sentiment. The technical score of 6 out of 10 indicates a neutral but slightly bullish outlook, with no bearish indicators to worry about. Fundamentally, the stock is in a much better place, earning an 8.35 out of 10 score. Metrics like profit margins and revenue growth are on the upswing, making the stock a solid bet for near-term performance. Fund flows are also trending positively, with a score of 7.79 out of 10, although some inflow ratios are still in negative territory. Analysts are divided, with a score of 3.75 out of 10 and a mix of one strong buy, two neutrals, and one buy. Recent news, including regulatory easing for banks and positive developments in the uranium sector, could fuel broader market optimism. STT’s current position in the market suggests it could benefit from a broader rally in financial stocks. This makes it a solid pick for traders looking to capitalize on sector rotation and positive fund flows.

3. AGNC Investment (AGNC), Short-Term Trading Opportunity: Buy with Caution AGNC is showing a mixed bag of signals, but it’s still a viable short-term trade for those willing to navigate the uncertainty. The technical score of 3.25 is a warning sign, indicating a volatile and cautious market environment. However, the fundamental score of 9.72 out of 10 is impressive, driven by strong cash-to-market value ratios and solid financial stability. Fund flows are also trending in a positive direction, with a score of 7.7, suggesting that while the inflows are good, they’re not consistent across all investor segments. Analyst sentiment is cautious, with a score of just 1.85 out of 10 and three out of four analysts rating it neutral. Recent news about falling mortgage rates and potential interest rate cuts is creating a more favorable outlook for the commercial mortgage REIT sector, which could benefit AGNC. The stock has already risen 5.36%, but with mixed signals from analysts and technical indicators, traders should watch for a pullback or breakout before entering. For those with a short-term focus, AGNC could offer a high-reward trade, but patience and close monitoring are key.

4. Datadog (DDOG), Short-Term Trading Opportunity: Avoid Datadog (DDOG) is flashing a number of warning signs that make it a less-than-ideal short-term trade. The technical score of 2 out of 10 is a red flag, with five bearish indicators and just one bullish signal. The fundamental analysis is also weak, scoring a dismal 1.41 out of 10, with poor performance in key metrics like PE and ROE. While fund flows are trending in a positive direction (7.83 out of 10), the overall trend remains negative, with outflows from large investors offsetting smaller inflows. Analysts are more optimistic, with a score of 4.27 out of 10 and a mix of four